| There has been much speculation as to what | | | | within himself. It promotes the values and |
| takes place at the Freemasons meetings. They | | | | importance of self-control and the aspects of |
| are regarded as a highly secretive organization | | | | love. It values secrecy as confidence. |
| and what knowledge is known about them seems | | | | This takes us to the issue of the Freemasons |
| to be conflicting depending on where it's coming | | | | being accused of being a secretive organization. |
| from. | | | | Some say that Masons don't hide from being one, |
| There has been quite a bit of material floating | | | | yet others will say that you may have relatives |
| around concerning what a degree is when it | | | | that are Masons and you don't really know it. |
| comes to the Masons. They use this terminology | | | | Their main symbol is the Square and compasses, |
| for the level of standing one is at. It is portrayed | | | | which depicts the tools of the trade. You will see |
| by means of a ceremony when an individual | | | | these displayed on rings, and tie tacks for |
| member reaches a certain level or "degree" as | | | | example. Therefore, for this reason they class |
| they call it. There are three degrees, which are | | | | this as openness. It is unclear however, at what |
| the Entered Apprentice, Fellow craft and finally | | | | degree one must be at in order to be given this |
| the Master Mason. These are not names that | | | | privilege. |
| were just made up they are actually the names | | | | They don't hide their meeting places as they are |
| of the individual craft guilds found within the craft | | | | most often beautiful Lodges but there is |
| of Masonry. | | | | speculation that there is a secret knock in order |
| Much as we do today with having apprenticeships | | | | to gain entry. |
| in some of the trades, they did likewise in the old | | | | The reason for this secret knock according to |
| days. As the apprentice became adept at learning | | | | their explanation is to keep non-members out. |
| the trade he then moved up as fellow of the | | | | This way assistance isn't given out to the wrong |
| craft (journeyman) then once he had learned all | | | | persons. It's unclear though what the meaning of |
| there was to know he became a Master Mason. | | | | assistance is. |
| Hence, the purpose of the degrees in today's | | | | Then there is the secrecy that arises from not |
| Freemasons. | | | | being able to put certain aspects into words. For |
| In order to get their point across the Mason | | | | example the changes that apparently take place in |
| conduct plays or rituals as they are called. The | | | | a member as they grow in the brotherhood of |
| ritual includes the participation of the individual | | | | the organization. Most anyone will admit that the |
| graduating to the next level. As a teaching aid, | | | | Freemasons fraternity is definitely well known. |
| they will use tools of the trade as symbols. | | | | There is no secret about that. What the secrecy |
| It is said that the lessons taught in these rituals | | | | centers around is what takes place within the |
| pertain to life itself and its integrity. It is to display | | | | walls of the Freemasons temples? |
| trust and the spiritual nature that every man has | | | | |